A Good Book

If I am asked about my hobbies I often mention golf, the spin bike, or old movies but I would have to say my keenest avocation is books.  I have always loved books.  It began with the complete set of Dr. Seuss and continues to this day.

Now, you might assume that when I say books are my hobby that I spend a lot of time reading.  Actually, while I do read a bit more than the average person (and that is not saying much) what I really enjoy is finding books.  I really love going to junk stores or library sales, or to used book stores like McKay's.  I always go with an idea of looking for a particular book or books, but am often happy to find things I really didn't know I was looking for!

There is a real benefit to having people know you enjoy a good book.  It means they will give you what they think of as good books.  Obviously, that will mean that you get some that are not worth the shelf space, but some that really are a find.  Recently, I was given a copy of Jerry Bridges book, The Transforming Power Of The Gospel.  I have to say it is one of the clearest books on spirituality I have ever come across.  I don't know for sure, but I think I will benefit from it tremendously.

What a thing to consider.  I have never met and will probably never meet, Jerry Bridges, and yet in this book I have the distillation of his wisdom on a very important subject.  That leads me to say that I believe books are a great way to benefit from the experience and insight of all sorts of people.  They may have died hundreds of years ago and they may have written in a language you cannot speak, but with a good translation you got to hear their voice.

All of that leads me to say, find a good book---and read it.